STONEWALL

UK health officials say the move could help control the recent and unusual outbreak of the disease.

The summer heat is upon us Texans, but there are some ways to have some fun outside.

LGBT groups want the Equality and Human Rights Commission to lose its status as an independent body.

The broadcaster says its involvement raised questions about its impartiality on some issues.

Influencers Whitney and Megan Bacon-Evans say the rules are unfair to LGBT people.

The BBC Nolan Investigates podcast says the charity's work raises questions of impartiality.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Dozens upon dozens of local families and individuals contributed recipes handed down through generations, and a team of 15 Gillespie Country Historical Society volunteers compiled the works—including numerous family stories, anecdotes, and nuggets of history—to round out a 200-page book.

The Government has pulled out of Stonewall diversity training, The Telegraph can reveal, as an exodus over its transgender advice continues. The Cabinet Office confirmed that it and the Government Equalities Office have ended membership of the controversial LGBT charity's Diversity Champions scheme. Officials quietly left last year over “value for money” concerns, but the move has only just emerged in the most high-profile blow for the charity so far. It comes as Liz Truss, the women and equalit

The UK’s equalities minister is pushing for Government departments to withdraw from the Stonewall diversity scheme amid concerns it may not provide value for money. Liz Truss, the women and equalities Minister, has told officials she does not think that Whitehall departments should be signed up to the programme, which costs around £2,500 a year and gives employers access to resources to make them more "inclusive". Membership of the Stonewall "diversity champions" scheme gives companies training about pronouns and gender-neutral spaces and helps to qualify for the LGBTQ charity’s workplace equality index. Described as "the definitive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace," Stonewall claims its index makes companies more attractive to prospective employees. Members also get access to an "LGBTQ-inclusive jobs board" for diverse employers. The Times reported Ms Truss was concerned that the civil service already has an in-house diversity and equality scheme, and believes the additional cost of the Stonewall membership cannot be justified. Any decision on Government departments’ membership of the scheme will ultimately be made by the Cabinet Office, not by Ms Truss. Her concerns come after the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the employment dispute service Acas withdrew for "cost reasons". An EHRC spokesman said the body had "extensive expertise in this area" and had concluded that the diversity champions programme "did not constitute best value for money". Figures show that Stonewall earned £3.27m in 2019 from the diversity scheme and other related programmes directed at schools and multinational companies. According to the charity, its flagship diversity champions scheme has 850 members, including 250 Government departments and public bodies, including police forces, local councils and NHS trusts. Last year’s winner of the Stonewall Top Employer award was Newcastle City Council. The council’s deputy leader said the gong rewarded "everybody in our city who shows us every day that we are all equal and that our great city accepts everyone". In a statement released after previous reports about its diversity champions scheme, Stonewall said it had been the victim of a "sustained attack" of "misinformation" and denied claims that its work stifled free speech in the workplace. "We believe these attacks are threadbare and deliberately organised and coordinated to undermine support for our work to ensure every LGBTQ+ employee can thrive at work," it said. It added that it was "up to individual employers how they meet their statutory requirements" to support diversity and equality.

A string of high-profile public sector employers are cutting ties with the LGBT charity Stonewall amid mounting disquiet over its diversity training on transgender rights. Campaigners have warned of a “flood” of departures from the Stonewall Diversity Champions scheme, after the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the equalities watchdog, did not renew its membership over “value for money” concerns. The Telegraph has learned of at least five other major public bodies who have quietly pulled out since 2019. The scheme counts 250 Government departments and public bodies among its members. They pay thousands for guidance on gender neutral spaces, pronouns and trans inclusion and are ranked on the charity's Workplace Equality Index. A barrister last week accused Stonewall of providing potentially unlawful advice to the University of Essex, in a report on the ‘no-platforming’ of two professors who were disinvited from talks on campus amid protests at their views on the trans debate. As scrutiny of the programme grows, last week its list of 850 members disappeared from public view on the Stonewall website. But several major names on the list confirmed to this newspaper that they have left, though this was not related to the EHRC’s decision and they all stressed their commitment to inclusion and equality. The House of Commons said it did not renew its membership for 2020. The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) said it exited in December, while Acas, the employment dispute service, said it had withdrawn “for cost reasons” last June. Dorset Police, one of multiple forces previously listed as part of the scheme, said it is now not a member. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it left in 2019. Meanwhile the Crown Prosecution Service, which faced a legal challenge over its trans guidance, said: “We are reviewing our Stonewall membership and will shortly make a decision on whether to continue this.” Barrister Akua Reindorf’s report prompted Essex University to apologise for cancelling Prof Jo Phoenix and Prof Rosa Freedman. He noted that its trans policy for staff “states the law as Stonewall would prefer it to be, rather than the law as it is”. Last night Stonewall’s chief executive, Nancy Kelley, prompted a furious backlash on Twitter by likening so-called “gender critical” beliefs to anti-Semitism. ‘Gender-critical’ academics and researchers argue that male-born trans women are not women, a view the EHRC has said is protected by equality law. Ms Kelley told the BBC: “With all beliefs including controversial beliefs there is a right to express those beliefs publicly and where they're harmful or damaging - whether it's anti-Semitic beliefs, gender critical beliefs, beliefs about disability - we have legal systems that are put in place for people who are harmed by that.” Campaign group Fair Play for Women, tweeted: “Stonewall reaches a new low. CEO Nancy Kelley is now claiming that knowing sex is real and can’t be changed is as bad as anti-Semitism.” In a statement, Ms Kelley said “organisations come and go depending on what works best for them at the time” from the scheme and the list of members was made private in a pre-planned update. She is “really confident” in its legal advice, which she says is based on EHRC guidance affirmed in the High Court, and “really comfortable” with its trans inclusion stance.

In 1993 Lady Bird Johnson, widow of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, welcomed "Sunday Morning"'s Charles Kuralt to the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas, where they talked about the former first lady's legacy. Lady Bird Johnson in 1993. Lady Bird Johnson kept a meticulous audio diary throughout the Lyndon B. Johnson presidency. Sweig said, "LBJ asked Lady Bird to write out the pros and cons for him of running or not running." READ AN EXCERPT: "Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight"Listen to an excerpt from the audiobook of Julia Sweig's "Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight," narrated by Kirsten Potter:For more info:Story produced by Jay Kernis.

click to enlarge Courtesy Kuhlman CellarsKuhlman Cellars, located an hour north of SA in Stonewall has released a collection of holiday-themed wine gift bundles featuring some of its best vintages.The bundles include the Silver Bells Gift Pack — a celebration of French grapes with 2019 Texas High Plains Roussanne, 2019 Estate Rose and 2017 Reserve Merlot — and the Fireside Favorites pack, which features two of Kuhlmann’s most buzzed-about red wines: the 2017 Ignis and 2017 Astéries.The Ignis blend is an incredibly rare Texas wine made with fruit from Newsom Vineyards — a Comfort, Texas-area growing area with a landscape that produces a smaller yield of flavor-packed fruit.Prices for the holiday bundles range from $74 to $325 at the winery’s website. Orders placed before December 15 for national shipping and December 20 for Texas deliveries will arrive in time for Christmas, according to Kuhlman.

SAN ANTONIO – Stonewall Motor Lodge InnLocation: Highway 290 wine trail (between Johnson City and Fredericksburg)They have four cabins available. It was originally built in 1964 to house the U.S. Secret Service and Press Corp. when Lyndon B JOhnson became president. You can enjoy the Perdanales River and LBJ State Park, among other nature adventures. This package includes all the “glamping” perks, plus secure WiFi and a desk so you can remotely do your job and then take in the outdoors. You can choose how you like to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the Guadalupe River while you’re there.

GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas – The son of a woman who was found dead in her home has been charged, according to the Gillespie County Sheriff's Office. Officials said Kimberly Smoot, 57, was found dead Dec. 13 in her Stonewall, Texas, home. Deputies and investigators served an arrest warrant Thursday afternoon on Justin Smoot, 33, of San Antonio, officials said. Justin Smoot is being held in the Gillespie County Jail on $1,000,000 bail, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Millions lined the streets of New York on Sunday to wave rainbow flags, celebrate the movement toward LGBTQ equality and renew calls for action in what organizers billed as the largest gay pride celebration in history. North Macedonia held its first gay pride march on Saturday. ANTI-CORPORATE DISSIDENTSThe worlds marquee gay pride parade was preceded on Sunday by a protest march by thousands of anti-corporate dissidents who rejected a uniformed police presence and commercial sponsorship, while demanding LGBTQ equality. People march down 5th Avenue in Manhattan during the 2019 World Pride NYC and Stonewall 50th LGBTQ Pride parade in New York, U.S., June 30, 2019. New York was designated the site of World Pride this year, drawing an estimated 4 million people to the city, where straight allies joined LGBTQ people in defending civil rights.

In 1960's America, police raids on gay bars were common. On the night of June 28, 1969, the patrons at Stonewall Inn in New York City fought back, ultimately sparking the gay rights movement. As Don Dahler reports, Stonewall is now officially a national monument.

We leave you this Sunday before Thanksgiving among wild turkeys near Stonewall, Texas. Videographer: Scot Miller

Nature: The LBJ Ranch This week's moment in nature takes us to the wide open spaces of President Lyndon Johnson's ranch near Stonewall, Texas.